Prevalence of asthma symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment in 12-14 year old children across Great Britain (international study of asthma and allergies in childhood, ISAAC UK)
OBJECTIVE
To investigate variations in the prevalence of self reported symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of asthma in 12-14 year old children.


METHODS
Self completion questionnaire.


METHODS
Great Britain.


METHODS
All pupils aged 12-14 years in a stratified cluster sample of 93 large mixed secondary schools in 1995.


METHODS
Self reported prevalence of symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of asthma at four geographical levels.


RESULTS
27,507 questionnaires were completed (85.9% response rate). The national 12 month prevalence of any wheezing, speech limiting wheeze, four or more attacks of wheeze, and frequent night waking with wheeze was 33.3% (n = 9155), 8.8% (2427), 9.6% (2634), and 3.7% (1023) respectively. The prevalence of ever having had a diagnosis of asthma was 20.9% (5736). In total, 19.8% (5438/27,507) of pupils reported treatment with anti-asthma drugs in the past year, but, of pupils reporting frequent nocturnal wheeze in the past year, 33.8% (342/1012) had no diagnosis of asthma and 38.6% (395/1023) denied receiving inhaler therapy. The 12 month prevalence of wheeze was highest in Scotland (36.7%, 1633/4444), but in England and Wales there was no discernible north-south or east-west gradient. Wheeze prevalence was slightly higher in non-metropolitan areas (35.0%, 6155/17,605) than in metropolitan areas (30.3%, 3000/9902). The prevalence of self reported asthma diagnosis and inhaler use showed no discernible national, regional, north-south, or east-west geographical pattern but was higher in non-metropolitan areas.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of self reported symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of asthma was high among 12-14 year olds throughout Great Britain with little geographical or urban-rural variation. Underdiagnosis and undertreatment were substantial.
Kaur
B
B
Department of Public Health Sciences, St George's Hospital Medical School, London.
Anderson
H R
HR
Austin
J
J
Burr
M
M
Harkins
L S
LS
Strachan
D P
DP
Warner
J O
JO
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data